Stuck in neutral, I step on to the clutch of life and get into gear.
At a higher revolution my heart fills rapidly, allowing me to be transformed.
This is my choice on this day to make it a day of celebration, a magical day of enchantment,
Communing with all round, knowing I can touch the sky.
According to my calendar it’s time to give thanks.
I give thanks that we are no longer overtly killing “Original People.” I give thanks that racism is at least being discussed. I give thanks that there were women’s marches when Trump was inaugerated. I give thanks that there seems to be more enlightened people. I give thanks that the ‘word revisited’ series has created a community in Auburn. I give thanks for my many friends.
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Seneca Falls, New York (e-release). Women March in Seneca Falls 2017 is an opportunity on January 21 to participate in solidarity with the Women’s March on Washington to demonstrate the strength, power, and courage of women in America. The March begins at 10am with an outdoor rally at the Women’s Rights National Historical Park, 136 Fall Street, Seneca Falls, New York, site of the first convention for women’s rights held in 1848.
Marchers are asked to convene at First Amendment Declaration Park, between Visitor’s Center & Wesleyan Chapel, and wear white, purple or gold hat/cap, gloves, scarves to highlight colors worn by Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and activist Suffragettes as an instant means of visual recognition of their women’s rights movement.
Historic Seneca Falls is the US Birthplace of Women’s Rights; it was chosen for this local march by central New York organizers as a reminder to EVERY local, state, and national elected and appointed government official that women’s rights activists are carrying on the political traditions of their foremothers. Organizer and event spokesperson, Melina Carnicelli, said, “As a result of the 2016 US election cycle, women are recommitted to be ever vigilant in their political activism. Women, and men, who support the hard-fought gains made over the past 150 years, are watching that rights belonging to women MUST NEVER BE DIMINISHED in our country, only uplifted. We call on all supporters of women’s rights as human rights to walk with us on January 21.”
Marchers will walk the five block route from First Amendment Declaration Park to First Presbyterian Church on Cayuga Street, where Alice Paul in a 1923 speech introduced what has become known as the proposed Equal Rights Amendment. A 2-hour indoor rally at the Church is free and open to all at the end of the march route. The program schedule features speakers and musical performances on political issues of deep concern to activists throughout the United States. “Call to Action” information tables by local civic groups will be located in the annex building adjacent to the Church.
Women March in Seneca Falls 2017 is an inclusive march and is free to join
Women love me cos’ I’m so powerful
Cos’ they see me on the news
They can tell I’m a celebrity
So I get any women I choose
They know they want me and they need me
You can tell by the look in their eyes
And you know if they’re real lucky
I’ll give them a big surprise
I mean look at that babe walking down the street
If she spies me she’ll want us to meet
I won’t let her see me, I’ll just be that kind
Otherwise I’ll probably have to pat her behind
Women love me cos’ I’m so powerful
Cos’ they see me on the news
They can tell I’m a celebrity
So I get any women I choose
Last fall, “The Flock of Free Range Children” began corroborating with Ms. Beth Miller on a project of putting some of William Blake’s poems to music, along with a Reader’s Theater and Art Show. The pictures on this page were taken by Margaret Sullivan at the culmination (so far) of this performance at Auburn Public Theater, The show was well received and we look forward to doing it again with her in the future. Now it is time for the Flock to turn their focus on their Spring Concert to be held from Sunday, March 20, from 2-4 pm at the Theater Mack in Auburn.
On March 15th, 2015 the Flock of Free Range Children performed a benefit concert for the Community Preservation Committee, Inc. to help raise money for the restoration of the Willard Chapel. We raised over $500 for the cause. We will be posting photos like these in the future.
from left to right Dan Cleveland, Ron van Nostrand, Dee Dusharm’s hair, Linda Webster, John Davis, Marjorie Witty and Don Watkins. Stay tuned for more.
Watching television news for me is sometimes a very scary proposition. All the stories about ISIS, serial killers and super storms cause me great apprehension. Then I go into my attic and see that there is a much better chance of all the stuff I have stored above my living space crushing me than any of the aforementioned leading to my demise. The saddest part is that I really do have the ability to change that situation and don’t, yet spend so much time worrying about the aforementioned things with which I can exercise little or no control.
I burnt sage throughout my house to remove any negativity and then the thought occurred to me, “Would I have to leave too?”
There is a Christmas song that goes “All is calm, all is bright.” I sincerely wish that was the case this season. Depending on where you were it may not have been that way. Many places did not experience what I like most about the Christmas. Often everyone seems more tolerant, forgiving and charitable, which usually lasts until the credit card bills come in January.
I always enjoy it when I find words of wisdom without looking. They may well for me be the greatest gift of all. It starts me to dreaming of what the world could be if we all lived by those doctrines. I recently found printed “The Corporal Works of Mercy” on my mother-in-law’s house keys which I borrowed to insure re-entry after a night of mild carousing (all that I can do at this age) with a friend. As I was putting the keys back I noticed the words written on the key chain holder. Not being raised Catholic, to me it was a new discovery. The Works are as follows… Visit the Sick, Clothe the Naked, Welcome the Stranger, Give Drink to the Thirsty, Visit the Imprisoned, Feed the Hungry, and Bury the Dead. It made me wonder how I compared.
I asked myself do I visit the sick? If someone who is in my immediate family gets ill I do visit them and ask if there is anything I can do. Currently that is easy to do as I have little immediate family in the area. I can only hope that I would take the time if I saw someone injured to help them in any way I could or use my resources to help out my family who does not live locally.
As for clothing the naked goes, I do donate improperly fitting clothes to the free clothing store. I know few naked people, although I did visit a nudist colony for an interview once. Even the people I saw weren’t totally naked as it was a cold day and they were wearing shirts or light jackets and sneakers. The only other naked people I know don’t seem to stay that way for long. Other naked people must get arrested before they get anywhere near my door, for none have ever come. I suppose I would welcome them and offer them something to wear, if they so desired. I have welcome other strangers into my home before. Sometimes it worked out, other times not so well.
I’m the kind of guy that if I have an extra drink and you’re thirsty, it’s yours. I do have a bit of a germ phobia regarding allowing people to drink out of my bottle but will allow it, if you are truly thirsty. Please don’t be offended, though, if I wipe it off real good or if you have bleeding mouth sores, give you the remainder claiming I’m no longer thirsty.
The magazine I do, “Olive Trees,” has been the vehicle which has allowed me to visit the imprisoned. Since somewhere around 2001, pages 16, 17 and 18 have been devoted to the works of an ever growing body of poets, the incarcerated of New York State and now Indiana. I have visited the Auburn Correctional Facility to watch performances by The Phoenix Players and visited a poet just before his release to wish him well due to this connection.
In an attempt to feed the hungry I do give pan handlers spare change and have performed at benefits for food pantries. I am still a bit selfish with my chocolate and may hide it, so no one asks if they can have some, but I’m getting better at sharing than I ever was.
As for burying the dead go, I won’t leave any one lying there, though I wish it wasn’t such a legal hassle.
After reviewing I realize I’m not perfect but I guess I’m trying. Just think what would happen if we all tried to do the best we could. The buck stops with each of us! ~ Ron
